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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2003
Contact: James Bernsen (512) 463-0630
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House Committee passes bill to aid state’s military facilities
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AUSTIN – State Representative Dianne White Delisi joined her colleagues on the House Committee on Defense Affairs and State-Federal Relations in passing the Texas Military Preparedness Act Wednesday night. House Bill 1521 will assist local communities in preparing for the anticipated Base Realignment and Closure process, scheduled to take place in 2005.
Delisi also made the motion to approve, House Joint Resolution 7, which provides the implementation authority for the bill. The resolution proposes a constitutional amendment allowing for the issuance of bonds to provide economic assistance for military communities. The bonds would provide for loans to military communities to assist in projects that help enhance the military value of the base.
"This legislation is vital to Fort Hood and the 16 other military bases in Texas," Delisi said. "As a state, we learned the lessons of 1995, when we were not prepared for BRAC and Texas was hit hard. Just as Fort Hood is the largest employer in Bell County, bases from Corpus Christi to El Paso are important to our economy and need to be protected. House Bill 1521 sends a message to the Department of Defense: the military has a home in Texas, and we will do what it takes to keep it that way."
With a round of base closings planned in 2005, the 78th Legislature is the state’s only opportunity to implement a state effort to protect military facilities prior to closure. HB 1521 includes the loan program for military value enhancement, proposals to allow for discounted electric power to military facilities and a restructuring of the state’s defense-related agencies. The bill also includes a requirement that the Texas Education Agency pursue reciprocity agreements regarding exit-level testing of high school students. The section reflects language in Delisi’s HB 591, which has already passed the full House of Representatives.
"One of the ways we improve the value of our bases is by assisting military families," Delisi said. "Bases are more than concrete and motor pools. They’re people - military, civilian and their families, working hard to keep America free."
The Senate companion to HB 1521 is currently in the Veterans Affairs and Military Installations Committee.
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